What are these items made of?
These luxurious vanity pieces usually are made up of a gilt brass, gilded white metal alloy or very rarely, gilded bronze. The metal is usually on the heavy side, but I have purchased some pieces which were of a lighter material, most likely hollow brass. When metal, usually brass or bronze, is given a gilded finish it is called ormolu or dore'. You will commonly see the gilded pieces, however, I did happen to see an awesome rare silverplated complete set once on eBay.
The metal is usually stamped with a pattern such as flowers, textured or hand hammered effects. They are embellished with intricate, lace like filigree, sometimes in fanciful patterns of butterflies, hearts, Egyptian lotuses, and fleur de lys. I have seen some stunning pieces combined with enameled medallions or handpainted portraits on ivory.
The pieces are further accented with foil back or open back paste jewels/rhinestones/gems. These stones are usually prong set or bezel set. Most of the time the rhinestones are rosecut which can make finding replacements very difficult.
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